Prescription lenses

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surfercdhick

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Topic # 229183 11-Feb-2018 16:04

I need new prescription glasses. I got my last pair a year ago with really nice frames at a cost of about $500 but my eyesight has deteriorated significantly since then.

So i'd like to use the same frames. I know you can buy frames+lenses cheap as on a number of sites but very few do re-glazing. And its hard to pick lenses for a small face (i.e. you are in the minority) without trying them on.

Anyone know of a place online in NZ that does reglazing that they can recommend. I cld go back to the place i got this pair, but i got my new prescription from specsavers ($30 eye text vs $95 at my optician) so its a bit awkward.

Pumpedd

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Reply # 1955270 11-Feb-2018 16:17

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In NZ we get really gouged by opticians, not by the eye test charges but the cost of frames and lenses.

Your cheapest best bet is to go to specsavers and just pay for the eye test and they will give you the prescription if you ask, and then shop around online for frames and lenses. Only issue is if they are not right it is difficult to send back etc.

netspanner

215 posts

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Reply # 1955272 11-Feb-2018 16:20

I bought my last couple of glasses from Specsavers. Never again. I have had such trouble with them. I'm more inclined now to pay more for better quality.

surfercdhick

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Reply # 1955279 11-Feb-2018 16:36

Yeah - i got the eye test done at SS. I know they are normal opticians but they did get my prescription wrong last time i went to them. Not sure why i went back TBH but its done now :)

Technofreak

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Reply # 1955280 11-Feb-2018 16:37

I got mine from Specsavers and I'd go back there again. Their back up support has been good.

I bought a pair of progressives on line as reading glasses. It worked out OK but I can see why you're reticent going down this route.

What's stopping you from reusing your frames with new lenses? Have you asked Specsavers or if you don't want to go there what about another optometrist? So far as I know that is possible to do. The frames are where the dollars are. In my experience the costs of the lenses is comparatively cheap.

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surfercdhick

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Reply # 1955283 11-Feb-2018 16:58

Hi Technofreak

I'm certainly keen to replace the lenses and keep my old frames - but Spec Savers won't do it and given i have a prescription from then i doubt most other optometrists will do it either. That's why i thought an online place would be OK - I found one but who knows if they are any good - thought someone might have tried doing this.

TIA

fearandloathing

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Reply # 1955308 11-Feb-2018 17:26

I've had lenses replaced by multiple Optometrists; OPSM, McClellan Grimmer Edgar in Wellington. They have had to send the frames away to get new lenses made. So you need a spare pair of glasses.

Technofreak

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Reply # 1955309 11-Feb-2018 17:27

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I know I'd be pretty annoyed if I was in your situation and was being made to buy new frames when you didn't need them. I know it's possible for lenses to be swapped out though not for all frames or some lens types. I'd get another opinion. I know my wife was told it could be done when she got new glasses just recently. Her prescription isn't run of the mill either.

I'd try somewhere that isn't a franchise like Spec Savers or OPSM. Perhaps the person at Spec Savers gave you bad advice. I don't know where you are but I'm guessing there is a small locally owned and operated optometrist near you who would be worth asking. Even if they haven't done the eye test, they'd still make money on the deal.

I'm guessing the likes of Spec Savers make their money on the lenses perhaps hence the reluctance to do anything. I bet if you damaged a lense they could replace it?

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